Few rock bands have weathered as many lineup storms as AC/DC, yet the core question for fans remains surprisingly tricky: who’s actually in the band right now, and how many of the original members are still around? Between the tragic loss of Bon Scott, the passing of Malcolm Young, and a rotating cast of drummers, the story of AC/DC’s membership is a tale of resilience and replacement. This guide cuts through the noise to give you a clear, fact-checked map of every key member — past, present, and what the current lineup looks like in 2026.
Current members (2026): 5 ·
Original members (founding): 5 ·
Deceased core members: 2 ·
Years active: 1973–present
Quick snapshot
- Bon Scott died February 19, 1980 of acute alcohol poisoning (Rock Rage Radio community post)
- Malcolm Young died November 18, 2017 at age 64 (NPR public radio news)
- Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in April 1980 (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- Current lineup (2026): Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Matt Laug, Chris Chaney (Relix music magazine)
- Exact formation date (month/day in 1973 varies by source)
- Whether Phil Rudd will return to touring
- Complete list of all session musicians used over the years
- 2026 North American Power Up Tour announced — current lineup confirmed (Relix music magazine)
- Malcolm Young’s retirement in 2014 marked the end of the founding core (Relix music magazine)
- Power Up Tour continues through 2026 with current 5-piece lineup
- No new album announced as of early 2026
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Band name | AC/DC |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Current members | 5 |
| Original members | 5 |
| Best-selling album | Back in Black (est. 50 million copies) |
AC/DC’s story is one of constant change, anchored by one constant: Angus Young.
How many AC/DC members are still alive?
Of the five original members from 1973, only one — Angus Young — remains in the band today. Two original members have died: Malcolm Young (2017) and Bon Scott (1980). The other two original members, Dave Evans and Larry Van Kriedt, are still alive but left the band decades ago. Among the broader roster of former members, most are still alive, including Mark Evans, Chris Slade, and Simon Wright.
Who among the current lineup is still alive?
- Angus Young (lead guitar) — alive, still touring
- Brian Johnson (lead vocals) — alive, still touring
- Stevie Young (rhythm guitar) — alive, still touring
- Matt Laug (drums) — alive, touring member
- Chris Chaney (bass) — alive, touring member
All five current touring members are alive as of 2026. The band’s 2026 North American Power Up Tour, announced by Relix music magazine, confirms this lineup.
How many former members are still alive?
Most former members are alive. Notable living former members include Dave Evans (original vocalist), Larry Van Kriedt (original bassist), Colin Burgess (original drummer), Mark Evans (bass, 1975–1977), and Chris Slade (drums, 1989–1994, 2015–2016). The two deceased core members are Bon Scott and Malcolm Young.
For fans wondering “how many AC/DC members are still alive,” the answer is clear: the entire current touring lineup is alive, but the band has lost two foundational figures — Bon Scott and Malcolm Young — whose absence reshaped the band’s sound and direction permanently.
Who are the original members of AC/DC?
AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Malcolm Young and Angus Young, as documented by Wikipedia community encyclopedia. The earliest known lineup included five members, though the band’s rhythm section shifted rapidly in the first year.
Who were the founding members of AC/DC?
- Malcolm Young — rhythm guitar (deceased 2017)
- Angus Young — lead guitar (still in band)
- Dave Evans — lead vocals (left 1974)
- Larry Van Kriedt — bass (left 1974)
- Colin Burgess — drums (left 1974)
This lineup is confirmed by WRIF Detroit rock radio, which notes that the Young brothers were the constants while the other three members cycled out quickly.
Which original members are still in the band?
Only Angus Young remains from the original 1973 lineup. He is described as AC/DC’s sole continuous member in 2025/2026 coverage by Relix music magazine. Malcolm Young retired in 2014 due to dementia and died in 2017, as reported by NPR public radio news.
Angus Young is the last living link to the band’s founding DNA. Every other member — including Brian Johnson, who joined in 1980 — is a replacement. That makes Angus the single thread connecting every era of AC/DC’s 50+ year history.
The implication: the band’s original chemistry was a one-time thing, impossible to fully recreate.
What happened to the original lead singer of AC/DC?
The original lead singer, Dave Evans, was replaced in 1974 by Bon Scott. But when most people ask about the “original lead singer,” they mean Bon Scott — the voice of the band’s breakthrough years. Scott’s death in 1980 is one of rock’s most tragic turning points.
How did Bon Scott die?
Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 at age 33. The cause was acute alcohol poisoning, as reported by Rock Rage Radio community post. He had been out drinking in London and was found unconscious in a friend’s car the next morning.
When did Bon Scott die?
Scott died on February 19, 1980. After his death, the band considered disbanding but decided to continue, according to Wikipedia community encyclopedia. The decision led to the recruitment of Brian Johnson and the recording of Back in Black, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
“We thought about calling it quits, but Bon would have wanted us to go on.”
— Angus Young, on continuing after Bon Scott’s death
When did Brian Johnson replace Bon Scott in AC/DC?
Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in April 1980 — just two months after Scott’s death. The speed of the replacement reflected both the band’s grief and their determination to keep moving.
How was Brian Johnson chosen?
Johnson had been the frontman of the British band Geordie. AC/DC’s management saw him perform and invited him to audition. According to Wikipedia community encyclopedia, Johnson was hired within weeks of Scott’s death.
What was the first album with Brian Johnson?
Back in Black, released in July 1980, was the first album with Brian Johnson. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history. The album’s title was a tribute to Bon Scott’s death — a black-clad farewell that became a commercial triumph.
“It was the scariest and best thing that ever happened to me.”
— Brian Johnson, on joining AC/DC
Has AC/DC replaced any dead members?
Yes — the band has replaced two deceased core members: Bon Scott and Malcolm Young. In both cases, the replacements came from within the band’s extended family or network.
Who replaced Bon Scott?
Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in 1980, as detailed above. Johnson remains the band’s vocalist today.
Who replaced Malcolm Young?
Malcolm Young retired in 2014 due to dementia. He was replaced by his nephew, Stevie Young, who had previously played with the band on tour. Malcolm died in 2017, but Stevie continues as the rhythm guitarist in the current lineup, as confirmed by Wikipedia community encyclopedia.
Who replaced other deceased members?
No other members have died while active in the band. Drummers have been replaced for non-death reasons — Phil Rudd left due to legal issues in 2015 and again in 2023 due to health, with Matt Laug taking over for the 2026 tour, per Wikipedia community encyclopedia.
While AC/DC has replaced deceased members, the band has never fully recovered the creative chemistry of the Young-Young-Scott-Williams-Rudd lineup. The current touring lineup is competent but lacks the original songwriting partnership of Malcolm and Angus Young.
AC/DC lineup comparison: original vs. current
Five decades separate the original 1973 lineup from the 2026 touring roster. The contrast reveals how much the band has changed — and what has stayed the same.
| Role | Original (1973) | Current (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead guitar | Angus Young | Angus Young |
| Rhythm guitar | Malcolm Young (deceased) | Stevie Young |
| Lead vocals | Dave Evans | Brian Johnson |
| Bass | Larry Van Kriedt | Chris Chaney |
| Drums | Colin Burgess | Matt Laug |
The pattern: only Angus Young remains from the original five. Every other position has been replaced at least once, with the vocalist and rhythm guitarist positions being the most consequential changes.
AC/DC member timeline
The band’s history is marked by key events that shaped its membership. Here’s a chronological look at the most important moments.
- November 1973: AC/DC formed by Malcolm and Angus Young in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- 1974: Bon Scott replaces Dave Evans as lead vocalist (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- February 19, 1980: Bon Scott dies of acute alcohol poisoning at age 33 (Rock Rage Radio community post)
- April 1980: Brian Johnson joins as lead vocalist; Back in Black recorded (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- 2014: Malcolm Young retires due to dementia; Stevie Young replaces him (NPR public radio news)
- 2015–2016: Phil Rudd legal issues; Chris Slade temporarily returns on drums (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- November 18, 2017: Malcolm Young dies at age 64 (NPR public radio news)
- 2020: Album Power Up released; Phil Rudd returns on drums (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- 2023: Phil Rudd stops touring due to health; drums handled by session players (Wikipedia community encyclopedia)
- 2025–2026: Current lineup of 5 continues with Power Up Tour (Relix music magazine)
The implication: each timeline event represents a fracture that the band had to repair, and each repair changed the sound permanently.
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For a deeper look at every musician who has ever played with the band, check out this full AC/DC lineup history.
Frequently asked questions
Are AC/DC still touring?
Yes. AC/DC announced the 2026 North American Power Up Tour, with dates across the United States and Canada. The current touring lineup includes Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Matt Laug, and Chris Chaney (Relix music magazine).
Who is the lead guitarist of AC/DC?
Angus Young is the lead guitarist and the only continuous original member of AC/DC. He has been with the band since its formation in 1973 (Wikipedia community encyclopedia).
How many guitarists have been in AC/DC?
AC/DC has had two primary guitarists: Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar, 1973–2014) and Angus Young (lead guitar, 1973–present). Stevie Young replaced Malcolm in 2014. Other guitarists have appeared as session players but were never full members (Wikipedia community encyclopedia).
What happened to Phil Rudd?
Phil Rudd, AC/DC’s longtime drummer, stopped touring in 2023 due to health issues. He remains a member of the band but does not tour. Matt Laug has been handling drums on the 2026 Power Up Tour (Wikipedia community encyclopedia).
Who is Stevie Young?
Stevie Young is the nephew of Malcolm and Angus Young. He replaced Malcolm Young as rhythm guitarist in 2014 after Malcolm retired due to dementia. Stevie had previously played with the band on tour and continues as a full member (Wikipedia community encyclopedia).
Is AC/DC still making music?
AC/DC released their most recent album, Power Up, in 2020. As of early 2026, no new album has been announced, but the band is actively touring (Relix music magazine).
How did Bon Scott die?
Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 from acute alcohol poisoning. He was 33 years old. His death occurred after a night of drinking in London (Rock Rage Radio community post).
What is the net worth of AC/DC members?
Net worth figures for AC/DC members vary widely by source and are not officially confirmed. Angus Young is estimated to be the wealthiest member, with reported net worth in the range of $150–$200 million, but these figures are speculative and not verified by the band or their management.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Insightlab, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.